Detachable  Retainer Straps

ABSTRACT

Magnetic retainers for detachably holding and suspending items such as cell phones from a user or support comprise a hanger and a holder that are magnetically coupled together. The holder is removably attached to an item such as a cell phone, and the hanger is removably suspended from the phone user. The hanger selectively, detachably couples to the harness with vertically aligned permanent magnets. The hanger may comprise a loop, clip, or lanyard that is worn or held by the user or attached to a static support. The holder is retrofitted to cell phone structure with a flexible, anti-slip sticky-tape connection that is removably, adhesively secured between parts of the cell phone body, its interior, or its case, being sandwiched and restrained between abutting parts. Magnets are permanently attached to remote ends or portions of the hanger and holder through either a shrink wrap connection or a snap fitting arrangement.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of a previously filed U.S. Utilitypatent application, Ser. No. 14/158,378, filed Jan. 17, 2014, entitled“Detachable Magnetic Retainers”, which was in turn based upon U.S.Provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/753,700, filed Jan. 17,2013, and entitled “Detachable Magnetic Cell Phone Holders,” by inventorDavid Glen May, and priority based on said prior utility and provisionalapplications is hereby claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to retaining devices such ashangers or holders or and lanyards for magnetically holding variousdevices. More particularly, the present invention relates to detachable,magnetic retainers comprising detachable hangers that are magneticallycoupled to detachable holders that removably or temporarily hold orrestrain miscellaneous devices including cell phones and theiraccessories, UPC scanners, electronic instruments and devices, vaporcigarettes, key chains, miscellaneous tools and the like.

II. Description of the Prior Art

Portable electronic cell phones are ubiquitous in modern life. Theserelatively small electronic devices are carried by almost everyone, andthey provide reliable communications throughout the world. They arecommonly used in vehicles, automobiles, trucks, recreational vehiclesand the like where they can be difficult to conveniently store withineasy reach of a driver. It is often difficult to conveniently stowhand-held cell phone within a vehicle interior as a proper receptacle tostorage compartment is seldom available within vehicle interiors.

When transported by an individual, hand-held units can be carried uponthe user's person or within brief cases, pockets, or purses. Often cellphones fall out of a user's hands or pockets, resulting in loss ordamage. Even when carried within a brief case or a large purse, they canbe difficult to retrieve within the maze of other personal objectscarried by the user.

Modern cell phones usually include a small, plastic, rectangular housingformed of molded plastic, within which a digital electronic circuit, anantenna, a battery and associated components are secured. Typically atleast one plastic backing or covering is removable to expose the batteryor other internal components. In most units the battery is supported atthe rear of the cell phone housing to maximize the available frontsurface to be used for controls and display. The battery or battery packis secured to the housing by a snap-latch mechanism which issufficiently reliable and secure to support the weight of the entirecell phone. In some manufacture devices, the battery pack includes anintegral clip or holding attachment suitable for securing to the user'sbelt or purse or other convenient areas. The front usually mounts adisplay and plurality of icons for dialing and controlling the phone.The sides and ends of a typical cell phone mount a plurality of inputand output jacks or connections adapted for headphones, Bluetoothdevices, USB computer connections, re-chargers, external amplifiers orheadphones and the like.

A variety of retainers or holding devices have been proposed in the artfor maintaining cell phones in convenient locations. Holding devicesusing the magnetic holding force of permanent magnets are known in theprior art. Typically a strong magnet at one end of a device embraces asimilar magnet or magnetically attractive ferrous article in aneighboring device. When a pair of magnets are arranged so that theiropposite poles face each other, a strong binding attractive forceresults.

Conventional mechanisms to attach a cell phone to a lanyard or hangeralign the magnets or ferrous material in a direction that minimizesmanufacturing costs. This direction is usually transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the cell phone, for example. This inferioralignment design enables a sliding effect downwardly, as the magneticpull strength is not maximized. Also, some prior designs have a magnetthat is permanently attached to the phone or phone case, but it isneither removably attached nor designed for after market installation.

The known prior art fails to reveal after-market cell phone attachmentsor accessories that are removably attached to the cell phone or otherdevice by the user, and which include magnets for removably suspendingor coupling the cell phone to a lanyard or hanger detachably worn by theuser.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,129,477 issued Apr. 21, 1964 discloses a releasable andseparable magnetic jewelry clasp for a bracelet, necklace, or the like.The clasp comprises a pair of ferrules joined to the main body. A firstmagnet extends from one of the ferrules and is received by a borepresent in the other ferrule, and a second magnet or magneticallyreceptive metal member is disposed within the bore. When the twoferrules are joined, the first magnet abuts the second magnet or metalmember in order to maintain the clasp closed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,405 issued Feb. 20, 1990 discloses a self-aligningmagnetic necklace clasp. A cylindrical insert fits through a retainerring into a tubular chamber in which it is held by a magnetic structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,276 issued Sep. 24, 1991 discloses a magnetic claspcomprising two mirror image halves, each of which is attached to theends of a necklace. Each half has a magnetic shell and an insertedmagnetic core. The shell has a cylindrical body with a cone-shaped end.The magnetic core is made of samarium cobalt or neodymium iron. Both arestrong magnets and allow the clasp to be very small in size so that itis aesthetically pleasing. The end of each half has an eyelet forconnecting to a necklace. A conventional fastener can be soldered to oneeyelet so that the clasp can be added to an existing necklace. A safetycatch can be added to the clasp as a back-up safety feature forexpensive jewelry.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,168 issued Levy Mar. 30, 1993 discloses magneticjewelry closures that may be used as a replacement clasp for jewelry.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,807 issued Nov. 30, 1999 discloses a magnetic standfor cell phones. A cell phone is removably attached to the dashboard ofa vehicle by a magnet that is permanently secured to the dashboard of avehicle. The cell phone is removably retained by the magnet (due to theattraction between the magnet and the metal parts normally found in thecell phone) and the cell phone may be lifted off manually and manuallyreplaced on the magnet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,398 issued Hoffman Nov. 4, 2003 discloses a magneticclasp for jewelry wherein separable bodies are temporarily fastenedtogether by magnets that have been poled to present opposed surfaces ofopposite magnetic polarities. In a first embodiment, disk-like magnetsare received in channels of mating elongated body members of likeconfiguration. End flanges of the elongated body members, in addition tothe disk-like magnets, provide axial resistance to separation while theresultant magnetic force prevents separation in the transversedirection. In a second embodiment, disk-like magnets of dividedpolarities are seated at ends of mating bodies. A pin-and-slot lockingmechanism is formed in the two bodies and the magnets are orientedrelative thereto so that resultant repulsive magnetic forces force thetwo magnets into mating alignment when in the longitudinal slot formaximum magnetic holding force.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,116 issued Nov. 21, 2000 discloses a holder for amobile telephone comprising a main body to which a mobile telephone ismagnetically attached, and an attachment supporting means for attachingthe main body to the surface of an object such as a vehicle dashboard.The magnetic attachment means includes a magnet fixed to the main body,and a piece of iron attachable to the back of the mobile telephone andattachable to the magnet by magnetic force.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,888,940 issued May 3, 2005 discloses a magnetic holderfor cell phones and the like. The holder has a cup formed of aferromagnetic material within which a magnet is supported. The rearsurface of the cup includes a double-sided adhesive pad attach theholder to a supporting surface or structure such as a vehicle dashboard.The cell phone is secured to the holder cup magnetic attraction.Differing attachments, such as suction cups or belt clips, may retainthe magnetic holder to the dashboard or other support.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,503 issued Sep. 20, 2005 discloses a portablemagnetic object holder having a mounting plate embedded with at leastone magnet for holding a magnetic object, such as a tool or instrument,on one surface of the mounting plate. A strap is attached to themounting plate for mounting the mounting plate to a user or to anobject.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,283 issued Feb. 6, 2007 discloses a magneticeyeglass device for temporarily affixing eyeglasses to articles ofclothing worn by the user. A strong pair of magnets is attached withpliable, flexible rings to the eyeglass frames. The magnets connecttogether when the eyeglass frames are closed, forming a tight holdwhenever the glasses are clasped together. The closed eyeglasses canthen be easily and securely attached or retained to a belt, pocket,purse, or to an article of clothing.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,251 issued Oct. 7, 2008 discloses a magneticmounting platform for removably retaining hand held devices usingmagnetic attraction. The magnetic mounting platform attaches to anexternal mounting surface and holds a permanent magnet.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,441,917 issued Oct. 28, 2008 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,708,421issued May 4, 2010 discloses illuminated jewelry articles utilizing amagnetically connectable clasp. Each clasp component includes a vertexend and a magnetically attractable base. At least one of the claspcomponents contains a magnet thereby allowing the clasp components to bemagnetically connectable in base-to-base relation without requiringprecise manual alignment.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,496,991 issued Avery Mar. 3, 2009 provides a portablesecurement system for docking eye wear to a user's garment for temporarysafekeeping. A pendant holds a magnet secured at the device's bottom tosecure eye wear for easy retrieval.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,553,018 issued Jun. 30, 2009 discloses an eyeglassholder attachable to clothing, office and shop equipment, handbags orthe like, wherein a magnet can attach the eyeglass holder to a ferrousmetallic surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,889,036 issued Feb. 15, 2011 discloses another magneticholding device. The holding device keeps together and releases twoelements that are relatively movable to each other.

Other magnetic eyeglass holders are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,857,445issued Dec. 28, 2010, U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,126 issued Apr. 9, 2002, andU.S. Pat. No. 7,296,889 issued Nov. 20, 2007.

Another reference of interest is U. S. Pat. Application Publication No.2006/0124676, published Jun. 15, 2006.

Thus, despite the prior art aforesaid, there is a need for improvedretainers for cell phones (and similar devices), and properly configuredmagnetic retainers are needed. The orientation of the magnets must becharacterized by an alignment that results in maximum holding strength.In other words, there is a need for a connection scheme for an improvedmagnetic retainer, and its associated attachments, where items retainedby the device are held dependably, and do not slide off.

I have found that the connecting magnets must be properly aligned. Byway of example, when a phone held with my retainer device is suspendedby a lanyard worn about the users neck, the longitudinal axis of themagnets is normal to ground. Stated another way, when my retainer isworn about the neck of a user and hangs down, the poles of theconnecting magnets occupy a line such that the north and south poles ofa first magnet are vertically aligned with the north-south poles of theother magnet, and the alignment is generally “vertical” or perpendicularto ground.

Further, there is a need for retainers that employ a holder portionremovably attached to a cell phone, which holder provides a magneticunion that can be removably coupled to and suspended by a cooperatinghanger portion that removably suspends the phone or device from theuser. In each instance, it is important that a retainer comprises ahanger and holder that are coupled together magnetically, wherein theholder is removably coupled by magnetic attraction to the hanger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention comprises a magnetic retainer utilizing variousarrangements for detachably holding and suspending items such as cellphones or similar portable electronic devices or tools or accessoriesfrom a user, i.e., a human being, or a suitable support.

In preferred forms of the invention the retainer comprises a hanger anda holder. The holder is adapted to be removably attached to an item suchas a cell phone, phone case, eyeglasses, tool or the like. The hangernormally removably couples to, or is removably suspended from, a user(i.e., a human being) or a suitable support. The hanger detachably,magnetically couples to the holder.

The hanger may comprise a loop, clip, or lanyard somewhat like anecklace, that is worn or held by a user or attached to the user or astatic support. The hanger includes a strong magnet (or ferrous object)at a remote end. The holder includes a similar strong magnet (or ferrousobject) at its remote end. Preferably a separate magnet is used in boththe hanger and the holder. These magnets vigorously attract each other,and a binding connection is temporarily magnetically established forholding the cell phone or whatever device is coupled to the retainer.

The holder may be retrofitted to the cell phone structure or device inseveral ways. For example, the holder may comprise an anti-slipconnection that is removably, frictionally coupled between the cellphone plastic body and its interior. The preferred anti-slip connectioncomprises double sided sticky tape that may be sandwiched betweenabutting surfaces, such as a the plastic case or cover portion or phonecase. In the best mode, the preferably flexible anti-slip piececomprises double sided sticky tape, which is removably captivated withinthe cell phone body sandwiched between phone or phone case parts,preferably with a flexible end piece that leads to a magnet.Alternatively the holder may be releasably coupled to the phone with aconnection jack, a harness engaging the cell phone, a clip or couplingthat engages a phone jack, a cord or clip, or other device as describedbelow.

In the best mode both the hanger and the holder terminate in strong,permanent magnets adapted to be attractively coupled together, with thenorth pole of one magnet attracting the south pole of the other.Alternatively, one of the hanger or holder may terminate in mere ferrousmaterial, that is magnetically attracted. With the preferred doublemagnet configuration there is a superior holding power. Preferably, whenthe hanger is suspended from a user, the north and south poles of themagnets abut one another in an orientation with the longitudinal axis ofthe magnets normal to ground.

With both the harness and hanger, alternative mounting arrangements canbe used to secure the magnet. In one form of the invention the magnetsare restrained by a shrink tube arrangement. In a preferred form of theinvention, both the hanger and the holder include terminal snap-fitstructure for restraining the magnets.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providean improved retainer for retaining and holding electronic devicesincluding cell phones and phone accessories, and miscellaneous tools andthe like.

A basic object is to provide a retainer comprising a holder adapted tobe removably coupled to a phone or the like, and a hanger that couplesto the holder.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide animproved retainer apparatus enabling a user to detachably hold andretain a cell phone or other similar electronic item upon his or herperson.

A related object is to provide a retainer device of the characterdescribed that makes it convenient to detachably hold and use a cellphone within the confines of a vehicle interior.

It is another object of the present invention to provide improvedretainer or keeper devices for cell phones, jewelry, eyeglasses,miscellaneous tools and the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved,removable magnetic means for holding cell phones and related digitaldevices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedretainer for portable devices such as cell phones and other digitaldevices, wherein the retainer comprises a selectively detachable,magnetically connectable junction.

An object of this invention to provide a strong attraction between twomagnetic ends in a cell phone retainer, one magnetic end provided by aholder removably couples to the phone, and the other magnetic endprovided by a hanger suspended from or attached to the phone user.

Another object is to provide a retainer in which the poles of theconnecting magnets are aligned, such that the longitudinal axis of themagnets is usually disposed perpendicularly relative to ground when thecell phone hanger comprises a lanyard or necklace suspended from astanding user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a retainer of thecharacter described that can connect to a phone output jack or port.

A basic object is to provide a universally applicable, detachablemagnetic retainer device that is suited for reliably restraining andconveniently holding cell phones and the like.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, alongwith features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or becomeapparent in the course of the following descriptive sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification andwhich are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which likereference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible toindicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a retainer constructed inaccordance with the best mode of the invention known to me at this time;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partially exploded, fragmentary, isometric viewof the heat-shrinked hanger used with the retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partially exploded, fragmentary, isometric viewof the heat-shrinked holder used with the retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is fragmentary, perspective view of an alternative retainer,employing a snap-together hanger and snap-together holder;

5 is an enlarged, partially exploded, fragmentary perspective view ofthe snap-together hanger preferably used with the retainer of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, isometric view similar to FIG. 5 showing theassembled snap-together hanger preferably used with the retainer of FIG.4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partially exploded, fragmentary perspective viewof the snap-together holder preferably used with the retainer of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged isometric view similar to FIG. 7 showing theassembled snap-together holder preferably used with the retainer of FIG.4;

FIGS. 9-11 are sequential, fragmentary diagrammatic views showing thepreferred method in which the various holders depicted herein areremovably attached to a cell phone;

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded, isometric view showing an alternativesnap-together holder;

FIG. 13 is partially exploded, isometric view showing an alternativesnap-together holder spaced-apart from the hanger, and showing thepreferred vertical magnet alignment;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of an another alternative snap-togetherhanger that is permanently attached to a cell phone case;

FIG. 15 is a partially exploded, isometric view of another alternativeembodiment of a retainer, utilizing a sun-visor hanger and acooperating, port engaging holder;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, exploded isometric view of the port-engagingholder of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged, isometric view of the assembled port-engagingholder of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, exploded isometric view of another alternativeembodiment of a retainer, utilizing a belt clip hanger and a holder ofthe type seen in FIG. 5;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged isometric view of the belt-clip hanger of FIG.18;

FIG. 20 is a partially exploded, fragmentary isometric view of analternative retainer, wherein a snap fitted holder is fitted to a cellphone case;

FIG. 21 is a partially exploded, fragmentary isometric view of ananother alternative retainer similar to that seen in FIG. 20, wherein asnap fit holder fitted to a cell phone case is used with a lanyard typeholder;

FIG. 22 an exploded isometric view of a heat-shrink hanger; and,

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an assembled heat shrink hanger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With initial reference directed to FIGS. 1-3, a preferred retainerconstructed in accordance with the best known mode of the invention hasbeen generally designated by the reference numeral 30. Retainer 30 isadapted to be worn by a cell phone user, so that the cell phone may besuspended and thus retained and supported conveniently for manipulation,support, and use. A generic cell phone is designated generally by thereference numeral 32 in FIG. 1. Retainer 30, and all other retainersdisclosed herein, comprise two primary pieces, namely a hanger and aholder, with the holder being magnetically and removably attached to orsuspended by the hanger. Each hanger described is suspended or supportedby the users body (i.e., his or her neck) or by a suitable support. Eachholder described herein removably couples to the cell phone 32 or itscase or liner, or to an alternative item to be transported.

For example, the preferred retainer 30 (FIG. 1) comprises a hanger 34having a looped lanyard 36 worn about a users neck. Hanger 34 can haveother configurations. The lanyard 36 terminates in a remote end,generally designated by the reference numeral 35, that houses a highstrength, permanent magnet. Similarly, the holder 40 has a second remoteend 42 which, in the best mode, houses another permanent magnet thatselectively couples with the the lanyard-supported other magnet. In thebest mode all magnets are high strength, rare-earth permanent magnets,and neodymium magnets are preferred. The preferred holder 40 has a“sticky tape” portion 46 that removably connects to the cell phone 32(or other item being carried or supported) as explained in detailhereinafter, to form a non-slip connection.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the lanyard 36 preferably comprises an elongatedfabric or plastic strap that is formed into a loop with spaced-apart,strap ends 48 and 49 flatly placed together as shown in FIG. 2. Thestrap ends 48, 49 are preferably held together and crimped with ametallic retainer clip 52 that is forcibly compressed about them forretention. In vertical cross section the clip 52 is somewhat C-shaped.When clip 52 is installed, the serrated clip edges 54 (FIG. 2) bindagainst and restrain the strap ends 48, 49. In the best mode, anelongated connection sleeve 56 made of heat shrink tubing fits over thecrimped strap ends 48, 49 and the compressible clip 52 binding them. Theopen end 57 of tubular sleeve 56 receives a cylindrical, permanentmagnet 58. Once the heat shrink tubing sleeve 56 is secured byappropriate heat, the first remote end (i.e., the hanger end) 35 iscomplete. Alternatively, the lanyard 36 can have a tubular shapedmagnet, or magnets threaded onto the strap body or 10 ends 48, 49.

FIG. 3 details the preferred holder 40 employed with the preferredretainer 30. Holder 40 comprises an elongated, flexible sticky-tapeportion 60 that comprises an adhesively coated body 62 and at least one(preferably two) tear away strips 64 and/or 65 that are peeled away andremoved by the end user to expose adhesive. The tear strips 64 and/or 65are merely peeled away. The sticky tape portion 60 is preferably crimpedby another clip 52 identical with that described above. The crimped endsof the sticky tape are surrounded by the tubular, heat-shrink tubingsleeve 68 whose open end 69 receives a permanent magnet 70. The secondremote end 42 referenced in conjunction with the above discussion ofFIG. 1 is thus completed when the shrink tubing sleeve 68 contractsabout the assembly in response to heating.

FIG. 4 illustrates a primary alternative retainer embodiment. Retainer80 comprises a hanger 82 and a holder 84. Hanger 82 is formed of anelongated strap 83, whose ends are coupled together and form a remoteend 85 that houses a magnet. The holder 84 has a cooperating magneticend 86, and a sticky tape portion 88 adapted to be removably coupled toa cell phone or other item being transported or retained by the retainer80.

Referencing FIG. 5, hanger 82 comprises an elongated strap 83 formedinto a lanyard with the ends 88, 89 secured together. These ends 88, 89fit into the narrowed end 92 of an injection-molded, plastic adaptor 90,where they are retained by compression and a plurality of alligatorteeth formed in end 92. adaptor 90 comprises an integral, somewhattubular socket 93 having an open end 94. A permanent magnet 96 is heldwithin socket 93, being retained by a cap 98 that is fitted withinsocket 93 through open end 94. Cap 98 has an integral snap ring 100 thatseats within an internal ring groove, the details of which are discussedhereinafter in conjunction with a description of FIG. 12. The assembledhanger 82 seen in FIG. 6 has a remote end 85 that is magneticallycoupled to a similar magnetic remote end on the companion holder seen inFIGS. 7 and 8.

Referring to FIG. 7, the holder 101 comprises a sticky tape portion 102that is similar to portion 60 (FIG. 3) discussed earlier. The stickytape portion 102 fits within the flattened end 103 of the adaptor 104,which is similar to adaptor 90 discussed above. Socket 108 receives amagnet 112 and a cap 114 through orifice 110. A snap ring 116 integrallyformed on the shank of cap 114 snap fits to adaptor 104, being seatedwithin an internal ring groove formed in socket 108. (Details of thelatter construction are discussed hereinafter in conjunction with adescription of FIG. 12).

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate how the sticky tape portion of the preferredholders removably interconnects with a cell phone, a cell phone case orjacket, or the like. Here a holder 120, constructed like the previouslydiscussed holder 101, for example, has a sticky tape portion 122. One ormore peel-away strips 124 are removed from the body strip 126. Theexposed, adhesively coated strip 126 is sandwiched between cell phoneparts, or between portions of the cell phone and its jacket or case orprotective wrapping. For example, the sticky tape can be placed betweenthe phone 128 and a backing 129, which may comprise a plate, a cellphone wrapper, or cell phone case or the like. When the the backing 129reinstalled as illustrated in FIG. 10, the holder will be retained as inFIG. 11, wherein the holder 120 may be magnetically captivated by andmated to a magnetic hanger 127.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative holder 130 which can be used with thepreviously described hangers to make retainers of varying configurationsthat are suitable for diverse uses. Holder 130 comprises an alternativeadaptor 132, preferably injection molded from plastic. There is a socket134 that is similar to socket 93 (FIG. 5). An orifice 136 receives acylindrical permanent magnet 138 which is retained by a cap 140. Theintegral snap ring 142 is seated within the internal ring groove 144(FIG. 12) defined within socket 134. adaptor 132 also comprises anintegral, downwardly projecting tab 146 from which an elongated support147 comprising a wire, chain, cord, or string hangs. Support 147terminates in an attachment such as a suitable clasp 148 for graspingdiverse items such as a ring of car keys 150, eyeglasses, or the like.

FIG. 13 shows the holder 130 described in FIG. 12 as before. However,the magnet 138 disposed within the adaptor 132 has been drawn withphantom lines, with the north and south poles identified. A generichanger has been identified with the reference numeral 154, and itsmagnet 156 has been similarly drawn, showing its poles, i.e., “S” and“N”. The longitudinal axis of a hanging retainer formed by holder 130and hanger 154 is identified by the reference numeral 158 in FIG. 13.Here it can be seen that the “north” pole of the uppermost magnet 156 isaligned with the attractive “south” pole of the adjacent lower magnet138. (Of course these poles can be reversed). Moreover, the longitudinalaxis of each generally cylindrical magnet 138 and/or 156, forming a linerunning between the magnet's north and south poles, is coincident withthe longitudinal axis 158, which is generally perpendicular to ground.This disclosed orientation is referred to herein as “vertical” and it ispreferred in all embodiments to obtain maximized magnetic holdingstrength between the hanger and the holder. The axis of the alignedmagnets is perpendicular to ground or the lower floor, by way ofexample, upon which a user may be walking or standing.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative holder 160 that is similar to holder130 (FIG. 12) discussed above. Holder 160 has a tab 162 supporting acord or chain 164 leading to a termination 166. A predefined orifice inthe rear of the cell phone 169, that is preferably threaded, canpermanently fasten to termination 166 with a machine screw 170.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-17, an alternative retainer generallydesignated by the reference numeral 180 comprises a hanger 182 and aholder 190. The hanger 182 comprises an arcuate, resilient clip 186 thatsupports a magnet-mounting socket 188. Preferably socket 188 is integralwith, and perpendicular to, clip 186. In use, the clip 186 can beslidably attached to a suitable support such as an automobile sun visor,for example, where, in use, it may assume a substantially horizontalorientation. The holder 190 comprises a molded plastic fitting thatholds a similar magnet. An integral plug portion 192 can seat within acell phone 193, a cell phone case, or other device, within a matingport, to hold the cell phone. A suitable port can comprise a socket orjack or receptacle or terminal. In FIG. 16 it is seen that the plugportion 192 of holder 190 comprises a tubular socket 194 that isintegral with plug portion 192. There are two spaced apart anddeflectable plug wings 198, 199 with locking notches 200 for seatingwithin a suitable port or phone jack or female receptacle. Socket 194concentrically receives a permanent magnet 202 that is captivated by atubular plug 204. The integral, peripheral ring 206 on plug 204 seatswithin a ring groove 208 (FIG. 16) defined within socket 194 so that thefitting 190 snap fits together. When so assembled, it has the appearanceseen in FIG. 17.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show another retainer 210. In this instance, a holder212 constructed as detailed above is attached to a device 214. Thehanger 216 is in the form of a belt clip, with a resilient arcuateportion 217 that clips to a wearers belt in the usual fashion. Anintegral socket 218 contains a magnet of the type discussed severaltimes above. The hanger 216 can thus removably, magnetically support theholder 212 and the device 214 supported by it. In FIG. 19 it is seenthat the socket 218 can house a magnet with a suitable snap-fit cup 221equipped with a snap ring that seats within a ring groove within socket218 in the manner described previously.

With reference now directed to FIG. 20, an alternative retaineremploying a modified cell phone case as a holder is generally designatedby the reference numeral 230. In this instance the hanger 232 comprisesa belt clip similar to that described earlier in conjunction with FIGS.18, and 19. However, the hanger 232 can alternatively be a lanyard, asun visor clip, or suitable support. Importantly, however, the holder234 comprises a cell phone case that is magnetically attracted to thehanger 232.

The preferably plastic injection-molded, cell phone case (FIG. 20) is inthe general form of an open parallelipiped. There is an open front 236for nestably receiving a cell phone, that is surrounded by peripheralsidewalls 237 and 238 that are integral with a top 239 and a bottom 240.The open front 236 is bounded by a rear wall 242 that surrounds andborders an open rear 243. Top 239 is reinforced and solid, comprising anintegral, transverse portion 245 extending between sidewalls 237 and238. Importantly, there is a high strength permanent magnet 246permanently disposed within case top panel 245 during the injectionmolding manufacturing process. Panel 245 must be strong enough anddimensioned properly to handle the magnet. Preferably the magnet issimilar to those discussed above. Retainer 230 thus transports a cellphone, ensconced within the case, by magnetic attraction between theselected hanger 232 (or other hangers described herein) and theencapsulated magnet 246.

The retainer 250 seen in FIG. 21 involves a similar, plasticinjection-molded case. Here, retainer 250 comprises a hanger 251 thatinteracts with a holder 254. The illustrated hanger 251 is the lanyardtype discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1. However, other hangersdiscussed herein may be utilized. Importantly, the holder 254 employs amagnet 252 that is snap fitted to a suitable socket within the cellphone case 255 for interaction with the selected hanger 251 in a mannersimilar with retainer 230 (FIG. 20).

The preferred holder 254 used with retainer 251 (FIG. 21) comprises aninjection-molded cell phone case 255 that is substantially similar tothe case shown in FIG. 20 that has already been described in detail.However, the rigid, upper panel 256 comprises an upper socket 257 thatincludes an internal ring groove 258. Socket 257 receives the cap 253that captivates magnet 252 and secures it within panel 256. The cap 253has an integral snap ring 259 that snap fits within and mates to thering groove 258 in socket 257. This snap-fitting arrangement has beendiscussed in detail earlier herein in conjunction with a description ofFIGS. 12 and 16, for example. Thus the holder 254 (FIG. 21) utilizes asnap-fitted magnet mounting assembly that can be assembled after thecase injection molding process. Of course, holder 254 may be employedwith a variety of hangers described herein as well.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show a modified hanger 260. Here, a resilient, curved,plastic hook 261 has a straight portion 263 and an integral curvedportion 262 that terminates in a lower frontal portion 266. Portion 263clips the unit to a wearers belt. Portion 266 receives a piece oftubular heat shrink wrap forming a sleeve 268, that captivates a magnetduring assembly. The shrunk, heat treated bottom has been designated bythe reference numeral 270 in FIG. 23. Here the shrink tube sleeve 268 isheat shrunk into the “assembled” configuration 270.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, togetherwith other advantages which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retainer for detachably holding or suspending acell phone from a human user or a suitable support, the retainercomprising; a hanger adapted to be removably coupled to or removablysuspended from a user or suitable support; the hanger terminating in aremote end comparing an anti-slip connection that can be sandwichedbetween the cell phone and a cell phone case or between a cell phonecover and the cell phone interior; and, wherein the anti-slip connectionis established by sticky tape.
 2. A retainer for detachably holding orsuspending an item such as a cell phone or similar portable electronicdevice or tool or accessory from a human being or a suitable support,the retainer comprising: a hanger adapted to be removably coupled to orremovably suspended from said human user or suitable support, the hangerterminating in a first remote end supporting a first magnet; a holderadapted to be removably attached to said cell phone or similar portableelectronic device or tool or accessory, the holder terminating in asecond remote end supporting a second magnet; wherein the hangerdetachably, magnetically couples to the holder with said first andsecond remote ends abutting each other with said first and secondmagnets attracting one another; and, a snap fit connection coupling saidhanger to said first magnet and a snap fit connection coupling saidholder to said second magnet, wherein each of said last mentioned snapfit connections comprises a socket for housing a magnet, and a capadapted to be snap fitted to said socket for enclosing and captivatingthe magnet.
 3. A retainer for detachably holding or suspending an itemsuch as a cell phone or similar portable electronic device or tool oraccessory from a human being or a suitable support, the retainercomprising: a hanger adapted to be removably coupled to or removablysuspended from said human user or suitable support, the hangerterminating in a first remote end supporting a first magnet; a holderadapted to be removably attached to said cell phone or similar portableelectronic device or tool or accessory and the holder terminating in asecond remote end supporting a second magnet; and, wherein the hangerdetachably, magnetically couples to the holder with said first andsecond remote ends abutting each other with said first and secondmagnets attracting one another; wherein the first remote end isconnected to said first magnet with heat shrink tubing and said secondremote end is connected to said second magnet with heat shrink tubing.4. A retainer for detachably holding or suspending a cell phone from ahuman user or a suitable support, the retainer comprising: a hangeradapted to be removably coupled to or removably suspended from saidhuman user or suitable support, the hanger terminating in a first remoteend supporting a first magnet; a snap fit connection comprising a socketfor housing the first said magnet; a cap adapted to be snap fitted tosaid socket for enclosing and captivating the first said magnet; and, aholder including a second magnet; said holder comprising a cell phonecase with a built in socket for housing the second said magnet; and, asecond cap adapted to be snap fitted to said cell phone case forenclosing and captivating said second magnet.